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DayBreaks for 8/15/16 – The Olympic Refugee Team

DayBreaks for 8/15/16 – The Olympic Refugee Team

Steve Brown, a Christian speaker and writer, has a saying: All life illustrates Bible doctrine.

It is hard to deal in absolutes, but Steve puts it right out there: ALL life illustrates Bible doctrine. The more you think about it, the truer it sounds. And as it does, there’s a wonderful truth: God is in control of all things, and all things will glorify Him at the end of the day.

Some examples of this truth are easier to accept than others: you get a speeding ticket, and it points to sin and consequence. Someone gives you a gift and it points to the grace of God. Sure, it’s sometimes hard to see some of the events of life and how they may point to the gospel and/or our sin, but if you will pause, as events happen, and ask the question: Is there an illustration here of Bible doctrine, Bible truth? Over time, you will see the mystery of the Kingdom as it is revealed in your life’s events – the things you see, hear, do, read and watch.

You may have been watching some of the Olympics over the last week. You realize, don’t you, that they are about much more than fast times and the winning of medals. They can point to the One who wears the crown and to the communion of saints as well as idols, effort and overcoming adversity.

If you did watch the Olympics recently, you may have heard about Team Refugee. They are a group of ten men and women who fled their countries due to war and persecution. They were without a home and with no country to represent. So, the Olympic Committee invited them to come and walk under the Olympic banner. They may not be the best athletes, but the committee said that they deserve to belong to the Olympic movement.

How, you ask, does that point us toward eternal things?

Well, maybe you know people who are not in the kingdom. If so, in reality, they are like Team Refugee – they are without a real home or a real country. They are refuges. Our leaders says they can walk under His banner if they are willing to come as they are, put on the uniform of His movement – the righteousness of Christ.

If you think about it that way, you may be moved afresh to reach out to those around you, knowing that once, you too, were invited to walk under His banner.

So, how about a bit of homework? Watch some of the Olympics this week. Practice seeing how life (including the Olympics) illustrated Bible doctrine? I think if you do (and if I do, too), we will see them with more excitement and joy because they will strike a deep, rich chord of hope and perserverance.

We you willing to do it? Great! Now get to it!

PRAYER: Jesus, thank You for taking such a rag-tag team of refugees and dressing us in Your righteousness and inviting us to be part of Your team! In Jesus’ name, Amen.